1/4" DC 12V 2 Way Normally Closed Electric Solenoid Air Valve

Used as a pressure bleedoff for my 5gal pressure tank on my truck. Saw this was 12v, and figured I had to try. This bad boy is fantastic! It opens and closes at 150psi with no issue. I’m writing this review 6 months post-purchase and don’t have a single complaint.

Installed at the end of an extended drain hose. It definitely is directional. At 30psi, it didn't seem to matter but at 150psi it blew like a bad harmonica. Flipped it around and it's perfect. It will even close the drain at 150 psi! I wasn't expecting that honestly. There's a definite tiny 1-2 second delay using the 12v model but that's just fine. I mounted 2 receptacles each controlled by a smart switch. Plugged the compressor into one and a 12v 2a transformer tied to the solenoid into the other. Now I can turn on my compressor, use it, turn it off and drain it using my voice and not crawling into the back corner of the garage and reaching under the compressor. Love it! If I decide to leave my compressor on for a while, I can use the solenoid as a condensation drain. It doesn't drain super fast, about the same speed as the old petcock drain, maybe a little slower. I drilled a small hole through the exterior wall and vent it outside because the drain was louder than my ultra quiet compressor. Not anymore! I absolutely love it. I did program the switches as receptacles so they would not be included in blanket statements like "turn off all lights."

1/4 refers to the threaded fitting. However, the port inside is much smaller, less than 1/8". This causes a pressure differential across the valve which increases with flow rate, decreasing the pump efficiency. This also limits flow rate to around 3cfm air. Maybe that's fine depending on the use, but 1/4" tube has much greater potential.

They work well.

Mine worked beautifully at 120 lbs I love it! I used a 12cold 1amp wall wart power supply that actually measured 14volts with a meter. I used Grey Teflon tape and wrapped it so when tightening; the tape was wound in opposite direction of tightening so that tightening helped tape stay tight to threads. Used the brass 8mm quite connect fittings for the blue plastic tubing and everything is really tight. Hopefully im not over electrifying the coil with extra volts and amps. I am using this in conjunction with a mist coolant setup for a cnc machine and it will sure take a beating so I might update if I buy another one for my next project. If it lasts a year I will definitely get another.